Continuous oscillation therapy for the treatment of pulmonary contusion

Pulmonary contusion as a result of blunt trauma carries significant morbidity and mortality. In an attempt to improve therapy, a prospective study was performed in which 30 patients were randomized to either receive or not receive continuous oscillation therapy on the Kinetic Treatment Table. Pulmonary contusion was defined by mechanism of injury (blunt trauma secondary to a motor vehicle accident), hypoxemia, and radiographic confirmation. Patients who received continuous oscillation therapy had a significantly higher injury severity score (more severely injured group of patients), yet had a hospital course similar to those patients who did not receive continuous oscillation therapy and had a significantly lower injury severity score.